The effect of various root canal sealers on India ink and different concentrations of methylene blue solutions

In this study, the effect of different root canal sealers on 1%, and 2% methylene blue (MB) solutions and India ink were analyzed using spectrophotometry. One hundred and twelve specimens were used in this study. One hundred and five plastic tubes were filled with Sealapex, Endomethasone, Sultan, AH Plus or Ketac Endo. Twenty-one plastic tubes were used for each group. Seven plastic tubes were not filled, serving as controls. Seven specimens were taken from each group randomly and immersed in 0.8 ml 1% MB, 2% MB or black India ink. The optical density of the solutions after 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours of immersion was measured in a spectrophotometer at 416 nm. The optical density (OD) of the solutions was stable for the control group. The OD values for the 1% MB solutions were increased in the Sealapex and Sultan groups. The OD values for the 2% MB solutions were also increased for Sealapex and AH Plus. OD values were decreased for all India ink groups. The change in OD values relating to each time interval was statistically analyzed for each test material using two-way ANOVA. In the dye leakage studies, India ink, when compared to MB solutions, was a more reliable tracer as no dissolution of the root canal sealers occurred in contact with India ink.